Improvement in pipe-wrenches



JN0.139,52O.

J. RIGB.

Pipe-Wrenches.

IIlVlTtOI'.

Au ma rqfumoswmco u 1/. wean/451s mums) Pate nted June 3.1873.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

JOHN RIGG, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN PlPE-WRENCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 139,520, dated June 3, 1873; application filed April 4, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN RIGG, of Cleveland, in the county of (Juyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Adjustable Pipe-Wrench, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to an adjustable pipewrench in which there are two curved jaws, arranged in such a manner that they may be readily adjusted in their relation to the handles to fit a variety of sizes of pipe; they are also so constructed that their griping surfaces are parallel to each other, whether open or closed, and their relation to each other is such that when closed on a pipe forturnin g it the handles are together, and are grasped in one hand of the operator, so that the jaws do not gripe tighter by closing the handles, but the handles act as a simple lever, the outer jaw drawing in a curved line around the pipe and toward the pivotof the two jaws.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved wrench. Fig. 2 represents the several parts composing the said wrench detached.

A, Figs. 1 and 2, represents a bar having a disk, B, at its upper end, and on one side of said disk is made the smaller and permanent jaw O of the wrench; this comprises one piece. D is a movable jaw, and consists of a disk, E, pierced with a series of holes, 0 0, around the center or pivot holef. This jaw is curved in like manner to the jaw G, and both have their contact surfaces serrated or toothed. The jaw D and disk E comprise the second piece. G is a bar, like that of A, and has a disk, H, at its upper end, which is ofi'set from the bar, to

give space between the disks B and H for the disk E to lie in when the bars A and G are hole, f, for the bolt J, which holds the wrench together, and on which the movable jaw D turns.

To adjust the wrench for various sizes of pipe, the nut on the bolt J isloosened snfliciently to raise the disk H, withdrawing the pins '5 'i from the holes, and turning the bar G to the right or left and inserting them in other holes, and again turning the nut down. By this means the wrench is readily adjusted for use. The jaws are thus opened, so that when the bars are in line together the wrench is not made to pinch the pipe any harder, which would incline to press the pipe out of shape, but by hearing on the bars to turn the pipe the jaw D inclines to gripe the pipein proportion to the power necessary to turn it, and the gripe is such that it is impossible for them to slip.

I claim-- The herein-described wrench, consisting of the bar A having a disk, B, anda permanent jaw, O, the movable and adjustable jaw 1) having disk E with holes e e, the bar G having disk H and pins '6 i, and the bolt J, when constructed, combined, and arranged substantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.

J OHN RIGG.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. TIBBITTS, I). STEPHENS. 

